As the Miami University hockey team skated onto the ice at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth on Friday (Oct. 13), so did one alum of the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program — senior defenseman Louie Belpedio.

Belpedio, a member of both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, tallied 35 points during his time with the red, white and blue, and was a Minnesota Wild draft pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In 2014, Belpedio was a part of the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team that traveled to Finland and won gold at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men’s World Championship.

Now, serving as a captain for the Redhawks in his final year at Miami, Belpedio still has the opportunity to play the NTDP. Miami is one of the six schools the NTDP will host in college exhibition matches, and just last weekend, Belpedio tallied two assists in the Redhawks’ 7-5 win over the U18s. To him, playing against college teams as a 17-year old was a valuable experience because it helped bridge the gap to college hockey.

“You’re playing bigger, faster, stronger players, and that was probably the biggest difference,” Belpedio said. “I mean, playing the college games at the program helped a ton, so it made that a little bit easier. But that’s probably the biggest difference, the pace of the game and the caliber of the players on the team.”

Not only did it allow him the opportunity to play at a faster collegiate pace, but also to play against the school he was committed to, adding: “It was kind of funny, actually, because I had a lot of friends on the (Miami) team as it was and I was in high school still, but it was pretty cool. It was fun and I got to come to campus for a couple days for that game and see the places I would be for the next four years. It was definitely exciting.”

During Belpedio’s freshman year with the Redhawks, he totaled 19 points from six goals and 13 assists, and made the NCHC All-Rookie Team and NCHC All-Tournament Team, in addition to being a finalist for the NCHC Rookie of the Year.

Sophomore and junior year didn’t disappoint either, as Belpedio led the Redhawks with 11 points on the power play during his sophomore year and finished second on the team among defesemen with 17 points his junior year. He also earned All-NCHC Honorable Mention in addition to making the Academic All-Conference Team and serving as an alternate captain at the World Junior Championship for Team USA.

For Belpedio, though, he really just enjoys being at Miami. He likes playing at home games, but also appreciates the overall environment that the Redhawks have to offer. Current U18s forward Jonathan Gruden has also committed to play at Miami.

“I think it’s cool, honestly,” Belpedio said. “The NTDP gave me a ton as a person and as a player and I’m thankful for that. To see little Gruds — who I know pretty well because I used to play for his dad — follow through, it’s cool to see. It’s crazy to think it was kind of a long time ago for me now, but it’s definitely interesting and obviously I’m happy for him and all the other kids. I know they’ll do great in college because it sets you up to be successful.”

If anyone can be an example of this, it’s Belpedio.